Varied Carpet Beetle DIAGNOSTIC MORPHOLOGY Anthrenus verbasci (Linneaus) Adults: • 1/10 – 1/8 inch long (6.4 mm) • Wing covers (elytra) exhibit irregular pattern of white, brown, and dark yellow scales • Wing covers of older adults are black (scales have worn off)

GENERAL INFORMATION

Anthrenus verbasci, commonly known as the varied carpet beetle, is one of the more common species of carpet beetles found in museum settings Immature Stage: as well as homes. This cosmopolitan species comes from European origins, but can be found • About the same length as adults when mature world-wide. Adults lay eggs on a larval food • Covered with dense tufts of hair that extend upright if disturbed source, such as carpets, furs, or woolen fabric, • Alternating light and dark brown transverse stripes preferably in dark, secluded places. Once the eggs hatch, they feed heartily on this material and cause damage. When ready to pupate, the larvae may burrow further into the food or wander and burrow FOOD SOURCES yield useful information. elsewhere. They may also pupate within the last larval skin if no other shelter is available. Larvae Larvae feed on a variety of dead animals and do not make webs, but their shed skins and fecal animal products, such as wool, silk, leather, fur, pellets, which are about the size of a grain of salt, hair brushes with natural bristles, pet hair, and make it obvious where they have been feeding. feathers; occasionally they feed on stored products such as certain spices and grains. They do not feed on synthetic fibers. They will also feed on linen, SIGNS OF INFESTATION cotton, and rayon if these fabrics are soiled with juice, food, or animal excreta. They can be pests in cereals, stored grains, nuts, meal, Indian corn, red Adult beetles are good fliers and are attracted to pepper, and similar products. Carpet beetle larvae light. Finding adult beetles on windowsills is often are frequently pests of insect collections and other the first sign of infestation. By that time, the larvae museum specimens. have already damaged items on which they have fed. Beetle infestation occurs in many ways. In The adult beetles do not feed on fabrics but seek warmer climates, the creatures survive outside, out pollen and nectar. They are attracted to providing a ready source for infestation. Often, sunlight and are commonly found feeding on the these insects are more likely to come inside on flowers of crape myrtle, spiraea, buckwheat, and clothes, cloth or almost anything that is brought other plants that produce abundant pollen in indoors. Although carpet beetles damage fabrics outdoor gardens. Be careful not to bring these indoors, they may also be found in nests built by pests inside on cut flowers. sparrows, starlings or pigeons on or inside the building. Additionally, wasp nests under eaves or in attics are a common sources of carpet beetles, as LIFE CYCLE the larvae will feed upon the wasp skins and larvae. Dead insects in inaccessible areas may also Adults can mate and reproduce without feeding, be an important reservoir of infestation. and female beetles lay approximately 40 eggs in Accumulations of insect debris in ventilation ducts dark and protected food-rich locations. Eggs hatch may also be a source. in 10-20 days. Larvae develop over a 3 – 36 month period and can molt from 5 to 12 times. The pupal stage lasts 6 – 24 days, but the adult may take up to three weeks before it emerges.

CONTROL & TREATMENT

Standard control and treatment methods for museum pests will generally control this beetle. When carpet beetles threaten products in storage areas, a monitoring program using food attractant baits directed at attracting the larval stage will give an indication of the sources of the infestation. Outdoor trapping with pheromone traps will also

Information current as of 2 March, 2012 For more information visit www.museumpests.net Fact Sheet: Varied Carpet Beetle

Photo credit: Varied carpet beetle larva with flared seti, Patrick Kelley, Insects Limited, Inc.

Photo credit: Adult varied carpet beetle, Patrick Kelley, Insects Limited, Inc.

Information current as of 2 March, 2012 For more information visit www.museumpests.net